Described are the results of a spatial skills test designed to assess processing from 2-D to 3-D, 3-D to 2-D, and orientation. Results indicated that different aspects of spatial ability did not develop at the same rate, and the 3-D to 2-D skill took the longest to develop. (CW)

Investigates gender differences and the role of spatial visualization in problem solving in high school geometry. Reports that, whereas males and females differed in spatial visualization and in their performance, they did not differ in logical reasoning ability or in their use of geometric problem-solving strategies. (Author)

Suggests that, when real issues and problems are used as themes, student motivation and interest are significantly enhanced. Recommends using issue orientation to empower students to become problem solvers. Provides examples of projects used successfully in middle schools on the issue of smokers' versus nonsmokers' rights. (NL)

New York's Futuring Project is responding to key social and economic changes in two ways: (1) requiring all seventh- and eighth-grade students to take Introduction to Technology and Home and Career Skills courses and (2) creating five Adult Centers for Comprehensive Education and Support Services that offer adults education and training,…

When planning and developing an ambulatory clerkship, careful attention must be paid to the desired outcomes from the experience, the appropriate site, and instructional model to use to best meet the objectives. The major differences between ambulatory and inpatient educational settings are explored. (Author/MLW)

Investigates the development of concepts and processes associated with computational estimation. Twelve students at each of grades three, five, seven, and nine were interviewed. The older children understood better than the younger children what was asked but were uncomfortable with estimation processes and outcomes. (Author/YP)

Examined are gender differences across the mathematics curriculum related to various topic areas and mathematical abilities. It was found that boys performed better than girls in geometry and excelled in comprehension, and solving routine and non-routine problems while girls were better at mathematical manipulation problems. (Author/MVL)

Describes the contents of a book entitled The Care and Feeding of Ideas: A Guide to Encouraging Creativity which considers the thinking process, why skills need to be developed, and how students use or should use these thinking skills. (RT)

Therapeutic games were invented or adapted to assist in counseling deaf children with emotional or behavioral difficulties. The games dealt with assertiveness, giving/receiving compliments, problem-solving, being a friend, self-control, and paying attention. The games helped in overcoming: negative attitudes toward counseling, communication…

The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation sponsored a conference to consider designs for evaluation studies and the potential distinctive outcomes of the innovative medical curricula that might be foci of these studies. Differences between graduates of innovative and traditional curricula which might be expected were identified. (Author/MLW)

Describes four research studies that deal with students and computers. Three are programing studies that examine the effects of computer programing on problem solving and other cognitive skills of students in grades four through eight; the fourth study analyzes characteristics of students who entered a programing competition. (LRW)

This article presents a vector-analysis approach to the classical three-point problem in hydrogeology. Problem sets involving strike and dip, and ground water flow including computer programs (in BASIC) for their solution are given. (CW)

Library research skills instruction aids the development of critical, evaluative faculties in teacher trainees. This article describes a problem-solving simulation method (guided design simulation method) for teaching library skills, and discusses gains accruing to teachers and pupils from such instruction. (IAH)

Describes case study that examined the processes and outcomes related to the development of knowledge bases by groups of seventh grade science students in Toronto who were studying classification of living organisms. Expert system shells are discussed, and cognitive and metacognitive skills used in the activity are examined. (23 references)…

Forty first-grade teachers' pedagogical content knowledge of children's solutions of addition and subtraction word problems was investigated. Most teachers could identify many of the critical distinctions between problems, and the primary strategies used to solve them, but did not have a coherent organizational scheme. (MNS)